Match-box.



G. M. WEBSTER.

MATCH 80X.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.3, 1914.

Patented May 23,1916.

m 0 m f 1 THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., wAsnlNu'roN, D. C

GEORGE M. WEBSTER, OF FORT DODGE, IOWA.

MATCH-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1916.

Application filed January 3, 1914. Serial No. 810,218.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a containing bodyfor the matches with a discharge opening through which at least one ofthe matches may be withdrawn or allowed to project by gravity, it beingoptional with the user as to whether the match is ignited or not.

A further object is to provide a containing body with a dischargeopening and an improved form of closure therefor by means of which, anda portlon of the wall of such opening, suflicient frlctlonal resistanceto '1 Avithdrawing movement of the match can be imparted to the endthereof so as to ignite the inflammable material on the match head.

A further object consists in providing a container with a dischargeopening and a deflecting portion, which may be a wall portion of thecontainer, for normally causing the matches to seek a position wherebythey will project through said opening when the same is not closed.

A still further object is to provide a match box with aloosely disposedframe therein so that when the supply is nearly exhausted the frame willhold the few remaining matches in a position so clearly approximatelyupright that even the last match will readily project through thedischarge opening when the same is not closed.

Other features of novelty will be more fully described in connectionwith the accompanying drawing and will be more parti cularly pointed outin and by the appended claim.

In the drawing :Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a match boxembodying one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View. Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of a match-supporting frame.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout thedifferent figures of the drawing. I As illustrated, 1 designates amatch-controlhng body which is herein shown of cyhndrical form with bothends open. A cap or lid 2 is disposed over the normally upper end in aremovable manner so that the containing body can be charged withmatches. A bottom for the container is indicated at 3, and the same maybe removable or not, as desired. The bottom of the container is designedto function as a deflector for the matches to deflect the same toward adischarge opening 4:, which is formed in the bottom 3.' The dischargeopening 4 is disposed in the bottom 3 at a point near one wall portionof the containing body 1 and the deflecting bottom 3 is inclineddownwardly toward the wall of the container 1. As shown, the bottom 3 isconvex so as to project upwardly into the containing body 1 and presentcontinuously downwardly deflecting portions extending toward the wall ofthe body 1 at all points. Means is provided for normally closing thedischarge opening 4 and also coacting with a wall portion of the opening4 to impart the necessary friction to the match heads in order to ignitethe same. As shown, said means is in the form of a flat spring strip 5which may be pivotally connected with the bottom 3 by means of a rivetor the like 6. The strip 5 is suflicient in width and length to affordsuitable friction surface whereby the strip will normally retain itselfin any position to which it may be adjusted. One end of the strip 5 isextended laterally and is provided on its terminal end with a button 7for adjustment. The strip 5 is preferably reduced near its operatingends, as indicated at 8, and theopposite sides 9 thereof may serve asstriking portions in connection with wall portions of the opening 4.However, the

SlZG of the reduced portion 8 is such as to close the opening 4 when theclosure strip 5 is in position shown in Fig. 3.

In the most improved embodiment, I loosely dispose the bottom 3 on thecontainer 1 so that the bottom 3 can be shifted with respect to thecontainer to bring the discharge opening 4 into a position below thecontents of the container adjacent the matches therein, it beingunderstood that when the supply is partially exhausted the opening 4will usually be beneath the, empty portion of the container. By movingthe closure relatively to the bottom 3, the opening 4 will be uncoveredso that a match can project therethrough by gravity, if the container isheld upright. After the match has projected through the opening 4:sufficiently to permit the user to grasp one end of the match, theclosure 5 may be slightly shifted so that one of the striking surfaces 9will engage the match and force the same frictionally against theadjacent'portion of the wall or opening 4. When the match is withdrawnso that the enlarged head is forced between-the wall of the opening 4:and the striking surface 9, suflicient friction will be imparted toignite the head and thereby light the match.

Means is provided for normally holding the matches in an uprightposition in the container, or in a position substantially parallel withthe axis of the container 1, and as shown, such means may comprise aframe 10 which may be loosely disposed in the container 1. Asillustrated more particularly in Fig. 4, the frame 10-is composed ofintersecting partition plates 11 having lower ends reduced toward theircenter, and indicated at 12, to conform to the convex bottom 3. Incharging the container, the

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by

matches are disposed between the partitions so that when the supply isnearly exhausted the remaining matches will be held in a sufficientlyupright position to permit of egress through the opening 4:.

While I have herein shown and described one form of my invention, I donot wish to be limited thereto except for such limita-' tions as theclaim may import.

I claim In a match box, a match-containing structure having an inwardlydished bottom providing a continuously deflecting portion for causingthe matchesto seek an outward position through said structure, saidstructure having a discharge opening near the outer portion thereof,means for closing said opening and coacting with a wall portion thereoffor igniting a match when withdrawn through said opening, and apartition frame structure shaped to conform to the shape of said bottomacting to hold said matches in a position for projection through saidopening, substantially as described,

In testimony whereof I affix'my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' GEORGE M. WVEBSTER;

Vitnesses VILLIAM H. KI'NY U, I CARL WEBSTER.

addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

